Main Armament

Chassis

Superstructure

Upper hull was modified to hold a 105 mm howitzer in the front. A drum-like cupola was added on the right side to hold a .50 cal machine gun. The upper parts of the side and rear armor are hinged and held in place by locked pins. There were grip handles on the outside of the armor that were used as ladders. Production models had modified shields and a cupola for the antiaircraft machine gun.

Crew

The driver had vision through a removable windshield and a protoscope.

Prototypes

Two prototypes were built and designated T32. Had an open superstructure with a M1A2 105 mm howitzer installed to the right of the center. It was accepted and standardized as the M7 HMC in February 1942.

Variants

M7B1 Howitzer Motor Carriage: Standardized in September 1943. Declared Substitute Standard in January 1945. Used chassis of M4A3. Cast nose. Pressed Steel produced vehicles. There were hinged plates on the side to protect the tips of the ammunition (stored vertically) from being hit by arms fire.Late models had lower hull made out of soft steel because of economy measures.

Usage

First used by the US Army in 1942.

Marine Use

The Marines would use them in an armored personnel carrier role. It could carry up to 13 marines up to the front lines. The Marines used them extensively on Okinawa.

British Service:

Initially ordered 2,500 and this was later increased by 3,000. Eventually 5,500 were delivered. The machine gun position reminded the British soldiers of a church pulpit and was called the "Priest."

Priest: In September 1942, 90 M7s were sent to 8th Army and was available for Battle of Alamein. Were used in Normandy but were soon replaced by Sextons. Could have a No. 19 wireless radio installed if 24 rounds of ammunition were removed.
Used by the 5th Royal Horse Artillery at the Battle of Alamein.